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Global News
5 days ago
- Global News
‘I was denied': Mother of Halifax homicide victim turned down for federal benefit
When Devon Marsman's mother found out there was a federal government benefit available for parents of young victims of crime, she was relieved. Theresa Gray has committed to being at every court appearance for the five people charged in connection with her 16-year-old son's homicide. And even before charges were laid, she had taken time off to search for Devon, resulting in hours of missed work she could barely afford. 'I'm a hair stylist and a manager of my shop, so I lost like days (worth of) pay, I lost days (worth of) tips. And I searched three years,' she said. Devon went missing in February 2022. In September 2024, Halifax Regional Police announced his death was considered a homicide and began laying charges. Human remains were found that summer and sent to the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service for identification. Story continues below advertisement In February of this year, investigators confirmed the remains belonged to Devon. In total, five people were charged in connection with Devon's death, including his cousin. Now, with four trials set to begin in 2026 and 2027, Gray says she needs the extra income more than ever. 'I figured closer to the trials, then I would apply for the benefit, and most of the trials will be a month long or longer,' she explained. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'And then I got a letter saying I was denied.' View image in full screen Theresa Gray holds up a letter from the federal government informing her that her application for the Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime was denied. Ella MacDonald/Global News In their letter, the federal government says Gray waited too long to apply for the Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime. Story continues below advertisement Global News reached out to Employment and Social Development Canada, which is responsible for administering the benefit. A spokesperson reiterated the program's eligibility criteria. 'The benefit provides eligible parents with payments of $500 per week, for a maximum of 35 weeks over a period of 156 weeks (three years),' the media relations spokesperson, Maja Stefanovska, wrote. 'All 35 weeks of payments must be paid within 156 weeks (three years) of the death or disappearance of the child.' 2:13 Devon Marsman's remains are identified, but mother says there's no closure But Gray points out that while three years have indeed passed since Devon's 2022 disappearance, she didn't receive confirmation he was the victim of crime until his remains were discovered last year. 'Three years have already passed since 2022, but in 2022 I didn't know anything of the outcome of Devon. I mean he was missing, but I didn't know he was already murdered,' she said. Story continues below advertisement Nevertheless, the government has chosen the date he went missing rather than the date on his death certificate to determine Gray's eligibility for the benefit. '(The death certificate) didn't state he was deceased until Aug. 30, 2024. So that's definitely not three years,' she said. She has plans to appeal the decision, but if she is denied a second time, she'll be left struggling to pay the bills and provide for her daughter while keeping her resolve to attend the trial dates. 'I don't think there should be a guideline or a timeline. Three years is not bringing a child back — at all. And it's going to take more than three years to get through our justice system,' she said.
Global News
25-06-2025
- Global News
Man's death at Halifax-area tent encampment now ruled a homicide
Halifax Regional Police say the death of a man last year at a Dartmouth tent encampment is now being investigated as a homicide, and they're looking for a woman as part of the case. Police said they first responded to the Geary Street encampment, which was a municipally-designated outdoor sheltering location at the time, on Dec. 22, 2024. It was reported that a man had been assaulted by a woman. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Paramedics responded but the man declined medical attention and further police investigation,' Halifax police said in a release Wednesday. Four days later, on Boxing Day, police were called again to the area where the same man was found deceased in a tent. Police said the man has been identified as 56-year-old Jeffrey Alexander Emmerson. Story continues below advertisement 'Last week, the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service notified police that the autopsy findings indicated the manner of death to be homicide,' police said. The investigation is being led by the Halifax police and the RCMP's Integrated Criminal Investigation Division. Investigators are looking for the woman involved in the assault call. She is described as between 20 and 25 years old, four feet, 10 inches tall, with shoulder-length dark hair. At the time, she was wearing a blue jacket and red sweatpants.
CBC
24-04-2025
- CBC
N.S. man charged with 2nd-degree murder in latest intimate partner violence case
A 60-year-old man from Mill Village, N.S., has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of another man in what police say is the province's latest case of intimate partner violence. An RCMP news release said officers were called to a home on Highway 3 in Mill Village around 3:30 a.m. AT on March 28. They say investigators found a man suffering from life-threatening stab wounds, and learned another man had left the scene in a vehicle. The victim, a 84-year-old man, was taken to hospital. Officers arrested a suspect at a home in nearby Voglers Cove around 7:45 a.m. Derek Dominix was charged with attempt to commit murder and remanded into custody. Two weeks later, the victim died of his injuries. The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service ruled the death a homicide and said it was the result of intimate partner violence. On Tuesday, police upgraded the charge against Dominix to second-degree murder. He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear Bridgewater provincial court on May 15. Epidemic of intimate partner violence In September 2024, politicians in the provincial legislature declared intimate partner violence an epidemic in Nova Scotia. Since then, there have been seven women killed in Nova Scotia whose deaths are connected to their male partners: On March 2, Patricia Tanner, 83, was found dead in a Bridgewater home. Her husband has been charged with first-degree murder. On Jan. 11, Paiyton Pick, 22, was found dead in a Centreville home. Her boyfriend has been charged with second-degree murder and arson with disregard to human life. On Jan. 5, Elaine Mosher, 60, was killed by her partner at a home in Mahone Bay. On Dec. 31, Corelee (Alisha) Smith, 40, was killed alongside her father, Bradford (Coy) Downey, in Halifax by her partner. On Nov. 7, a 71-year-old Cole Harbour woman was killed by her husband in their home. Police have not released her name. On Nov. 1, Nicole Murphy, 49, was killed by her partner in their Yarmouth home. On Oct. 18, Brenda Tatlock-Burke, 59, was killed by her husband, a retired RCMP officer, in their Enfield home. For anyone affected by family or intimate partner violence, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services. If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911. If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help: Nova Scotians can call 211 to connect with community resources. A list of transition houses across Nova Scotia. Family violence resources helpline 1-855-225-0220. The Transition Housing Association of Nova Scotia website. Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988. Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Text 686868. Live chat counselling on the website. Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre. This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about.
CBC
27-02-2025
- CBC
Remains found last year confimed to be Halifax teen
Social Sharing Police say remains found last year have been confirmed to be that of a 16-year-old Halifax boy who went missing three years ago. Devon Sinclair Marsman was last seen on Feb. 24, 2022, in the Spryfield area of Halifax, and was reported missing on March 4, 2022. Last September, Halifax Regional Police announced that his body had been located and his death was considered a homicide. In a news release Thursday, police said the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service has confirmed the remains are that of Marsman. The location of where his remains were found is not being released as court proceedings are ongoing. Four people have been charged in his death. Treyton Alexander Marsman, 26, was charged last year with second-degree murder, indignity to human remains and obstruction of justice. A second accused, a 20-year-old man, is facing charges of accessory after the fact to murder and obstructing justice. He cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act because he was a youth at the time of the homicide. Emma Maria Meta Casey, 23, is facing charges of accessory after the fact to murder, indignity to human remains and obstructing justice. Chelsey Herritt, 26, has been charged with accessory after the fact to murder and indignity to human remains. At a news conference last September, Chief Don MacLean confirmed there is a "familial relationship" between Devon Marsman and Treyton Marsman, but would not elaborate. Devon Marsman's family marked his 18th birthday in October 2023 with a rally calling on police to do more to find out what happened to the teenager. "My every thought of every day is Devon. Like, everything is Devon," Theresa Gray, Marsman's mother, told CBC News at the time. Gray travelled across Nova Scotia putting up flyers about her son's disappearance. Other friends and family in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver had plastered posters around those cities as well. Police initially said there was no indication to suggest Marsman met with foul play. But nearly eight months later, police said publicly they considered Marsman's disappearance suspicious. Cash reward In November 2022, Nova Scotia's Department of Justice offered up to $150,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction of those responsible for the teenager's disappearance. Last April, the reward was increased to $250,000.
CBC
27-02-2025
- CBC
2 more facing charges in homicide of Halifax teen Devon Marsman
Social Sharing Halifax police have charged two more people in the homicide of a 16-year-old Halifax boy who went missing three years ago. Devon Sinclair Marsman was last seen on Feb. 24, 2022, in the Spryfield area of Halifax, and was reported missing on March 4, 2022. Last September, Halifax Regional Police announced that his body had been located and his death was considered a homicide. In a news release Thursday, police said the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service has confirmed the remains were that of Marsman. The location of where his remains were found is not being released as court proceedings are ongoing. Treyton Alexander Marsman, 26, was charged last year with second-degree murder, indignity to human remains and obstruction of justice. A second accused, a 20-year-old man, is facing charges of accessory after the fact to murder and obstructing justice. He cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act because he was a youth at the time of the homicide. On Thursday, police announced that two more people have been charged in the teen's death. Emma Maria Meta Casey, 23, is facing charges of accessory after the fact to murder, indignity to human remains and obstructing justice. Chelsey Herritt, 26, has been charged with accessory after the fact to murder and indignity to human remains. At a news conference last September, Chief Don MacLean confirmed there is a "familial relationship" between Devon Marsman and Treyton Marsman, but would not elaborate. Devon Marsman's family marked his 18th birthday in October 2023 with a rally calling on police to do more to find out what happened to the teenager. "My every thought of every day is Devon. Like, everything is Devon," Theresa Gray, Marsman's mother, told CBC News at the time. Gray travelled across Nova Scotia putting up flyers about her son's disappearance. Other friends and family in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver had plastered posters around those cities as well. Police initially said there was no indication to suggest Marsman met with foul play. But nearly eight months later, police said publicly they considered Marsman's disappearance suspicious. Cash reward In November 2022, Nova Scotia's Department of Justice offered up to $150,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction of those responsible for the teenager's disappearance. Last April, the reward was increased to $250,000.
